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Another year older

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Frank W. Miller III
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The 20th Fighter Wing, established July 28, 1947, carved another notch in its belt of existence with the arrival of its 69th birthday at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., July 28, 2016.


According to the Air Force Historical Research Agency prior to the U.S. Air Force being established on 18 September 1947, the 20th FW was born during a time when wings were developed to act as the primary combat element in place of groups.

 

“The 20th Fighter Group became the 20th FW because at that time Army Groups were the primary combat elements,” said Christopher Koonce, 20th FW historian. “Our mission at the time was to maintain proficiency as a tactical fighter unit.”

 

Members from Team Shaw celebrate their birthday in the form of normal daily operations to maintain combat readiness. With deployments, exercises, and an upcoming command combat readiness inspection, the 20th FW will remember its birthday even though it saves its cake cutting for another day.